SEMENYIH, Feb 14 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) has named 30-year-old electrical engineer Muhammad Aiman Zainali as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate in the Semenyih by-election. 

Party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Aiman, who is also Bersatu Hulu Langat division treasurer, is a local boy with his mind constantly on the rakyat.

"He has been with us since the party was formed, and has been on ground to see what needs to be done. Although young, he can carry out the job,” he said.

Noting that Aiman has also been endorsed by party chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin said he hopes Semenyih’s residents can accept him for who he is.

"The support from PH members is also important, as we are aiming for a victory with a large majority. It will be a challenging task, but one which we will work towards vigorously,” he said.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Semenyih by-election, Muhammad Aiman Zainali, pose for pictures in Semenyih February 14, 2019. — Picture by Hari Anggara

Muhyiddin told reporters that PPBM has taken into account the amount of support Umno and PAS can draw up during the by-election.

"Based on the study we conducted and the simulation we ran, if we combine Umno and PAS together, our votes go down by 1,989,” he said.

The Semenyih by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, who was the PPBM head for the Hulu Langat division on January 11 following a heart attack.

In the election last May, Bakhtiar, who was also Aiman’s father in-law, secured 23,428 votes to win with a majority of 8,964 votes in a four-cornered fight.

Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Johan Abd Aziz from Umno garnered 14,464 votes, while PAS’ Mad Shahmiour Mat Kosim and PSM’s Arutchelvan Subramaniam received 6,966 and 1,293 votes respectively.

Nomination for the Semenyih by-election is fixed for Saturday while early voting will be on February 26 and polling day on March 2.